Every year has potential to be a big time year for the boys wearing sky blue unis. Under the helm of Roy Williams we have won 2 of the last 7 NCAA Division One championships. 2012 is no different as the Tar Heels start to round out the ACC regular season currently ranked in the top 10. Heading into the NCAA tournament I can go ahead and guarantee at least a 4 seed, promise.
One characteristic of good NCAA bball teams lately is the presence of quality contributing underclassmen. After enduring a few key injuries in the guard area with both L McDonald and D Strickland falling to injuries- a list of underclassmen have been forced to step up and contribute solid minutes. They all deserve a big round of applause, and I mainly mean the ones off the bench. The starters are just doing exactly what was expected of them, and Barnes, Bullock and Marshall have all performed very well in just their second season our of high school. Bullock has warmed up quickly to the starting role and his tenacious D is a must moving forward this season. If the Kinston HS product can keep up the pressure on D and knock down jump shots consistently he will help Roy's cause; not to mention the rebounding and ball handling potential. Marshall and Barnes exceptional play really doesn't need to be pointed out- it always seems like they both have gas left in the tank.
James Michael McAdoo and PJ Hairston are the primary cards in the TarHeel deck that must continue to get better every game for us to be a potential NatChamp . These guys are both studs with top notch talent, build and motors, but the question is how fast can they mature and deliver for the heels. Any given game McAdoo and Hairston are prone to go off on a tangent aka double-double. I like what I see lately- and hope that Watts, White and Hubert can also get good minutes when they get the opportunity. We run such a fast paced game that our depth and conditioning will be a huge advantage over any team. Add that to the fact, that "good fouls" and playing tough D will let us take advantage of all the fouls we have to give- especially against any poor free throw shooting team.
I can't reasonably write about the TarHeels without giving major kudos to Zeller & Henson, who are the best big man combo in the entire amateur basketball world. Zeller is the ACC POY and Stretch Henson is the biggest defensive factor in the continental United States. Keep up the good work, Big Guys- and maybe pick up the pace a skotch on the free stripe! It's all in the knees.
Best of luck to the Tar Heels. Go Heels Go America . com
No comments:
Post a Comment